Tag Archives: Lost

S.T. Boston Heron FD48

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 162133
Yard Number: 1201
Completed: 1939
Gross Tonnage: 314
Net Tonnage: 116
Length: 130.7 ft
Breadth: 24.5 ft
Depth: 11.9 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 125hp T.3-cyl by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull. Fitted for burning oil fuel F.P. above 150° F
Note: One of the first trawlers built to burn oil under the boiler

History

23.3.1939: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.1201) for Neale & West Ltd, Cardiff as AKITA.
23.5.1939: Registered at Cardiff (CF4).
1.6.1939: Completed as a fishing vessel. Joshua S. Neale designated manager.
30.8.1939: Requisitioned by The Admiralty from the builders having been fitted out as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (P.No. FY.610) (Hire rate £235.10.0d/month). Based Swansea with M/S Group 133.
10.1945: Returned and re-classed at Barry.
1955: Laid up.
5.1956: Neale & West Ltd closed their Cardiff base citing high coal prices, unruly crews and Spanish over-fishing; vessels for sale.
5.1956: Five vessels bought en bloc by Fred Parkes, Blackpool – AKITA (CF4), CHAFFCOMBE (CF18), OKU (CF3), SASEBO (CF27) and St. BOTOLPH (CF8).
5.1956: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
5.1956: Cardiff registry closed.
5.1956: Registered at Fleetwood (FD48). Fred Parkes, Blackpool designated manager.
1.1957: Registered at Fleetwood as BOSTON HERON (FD48).
19.12.1957: Sold to Milford Fisheries Ltd, Milford Haven. Owen W. Limbrick designated manager.
23.12.1957: Arrived Milford from Fleetwood (Sk. Reggie High) and Milford crew.
18.1.1958: First landing at Milford (Sk. Arthur Harvey).
27.6.1960: Sailed Milford (Sk. Arthur Harvey) on charter to MAAF & WFA for experimental trips to the unproven grounds to the south westward of Ireland known as “the Farm” (South Farm Bank).
12.1961: Sold to Merchants (Milford Haven) Ltd, Milford Haven. Albert Henry Davies designated manager.
30.11.1962: Sailed Milford for North Atlantic grounds (Sk.John William Bean); twelve crew.
3.12.1962: Fishing Minch, SW gale gusting 60mph, Sk. Bean decided to run for shelter in East Loch Tarbert, Isle of Harris. At around 9.0pm struck reef off Stilamair Island, Isle of Scalpay. Vessel pounded by seas with extensive bottom damage. RFA ROBERT DUNDAS (1110grt/1938) and Fisheries Board for Scotland, FPV BRENDA (350grt/1951) ordered to scene. Local MFV SCALPAY ISLES (SY429) (Sk. Finley Morrison) directed operations and five men, including the skipper, rescued by local fishermen and Stornoway lifeboat crew, but seven men lost.
13.12.1963: At the Formal Investigation (No.S.460) held at Milford the Court found that Sk. John William Bean contributed to the stranding by wrongful default in failing to heed warnings given by the Decca Navigator and not taking immediate action. After the stranding all proper steps were taken for the preservation of vessel and crew. Sk. Bean’s certificate was suspended for three months.
1.1964: Fleetwood registry closed.

(Survivors: Milford unless stated. Sk John W. Bean (41); John Donovan (33), Mate; Brian Naden (27), Hakin, Third hand; deckhands Frank Fisher (51), Hakin & Chris McCulloch (27), Hakin.

Lost: Milford unless stated. Jack Dyson (42), Hakin, Bosun; Bill Bailey (62), Pembroke Dock, Ch Eng; Harold J. Edwards (59), 2nd Eng; deckhand Bob Brown 29); cook, Billy Hannaford (37), Hakin; firemen, Harry Harries (59), St. Davids & Bill Prockett (53) Johnston.)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Boston Heron FD48

S.T. Boston Heron CF4
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Boston Heron FD48

S.T. Boston Heron FD48
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Boston Heron FD48

S.T. Boston Heron FD48
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Boston Heron FD48

S.T. Boston Heron FD48
Picture © John Stevenson

Changelog
15/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
11/06/2019: Minor update.
17/02/2020: Added an image.
06/07/2020: Updated information.

S.T. Noreen Mary FD4

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall
Technical

Official Number: 139783
Yard Number: 710
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 207
Net Tonnage: 79
Length: 117.7 ft
Breadth: 22.2 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by J. Abernethy & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby

History

5.2.1916: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.710) for Richard Watson Lewis, Aberdeen as KATE LEWIS.
7.8.1916: Completed. Richard Watson Lewis designated manager.
8.1916: Sold to The Admiralty and fitted out as a minesweeper and later a minelayer (Ad.No.2975).
17.10.1916: Registered at Aberdeen (A620).
20.2.1919: Laid in upper dock at Aberdeen awaiting restoration as a fishing vessel.
28.1.1920: Aberdeen registry closed.
1.4.1920: Recommissioned at Sheerness for duties with Actaeon Torpedo School at Sheerness part of the torpedo school HMS VERNON.
1920: Attached to HMS VERNON employed as a tender on minelaying trials.
4.8.1920: Arrived Harwich.
17.3.1921: Sailed Chatham for Guernsey.
19.3.1921: Arrived Guernsey.
4.11.1921: At Dover participated in trials with HMS THRUSTER (P.No.F76) tender to Actaeon Torpedo School at Sheerness.
18.1.1922: Employed in mining work directed by to Actaeon Torpedo School at Sheerness. Paid off into C&M at Sheerness pending decision of The Admiralty to mine training. Remains attached to Actaeon ready to complete full complement if required.
8.6.1922: 8.6.1922: To be towed to Portsmouth at first opportunity. To be attached to HMS VERNON employed as a tender on minelaying trials but not manned, crew as required to be drawn from other tenders or services.
1935: Transferred to Mediterranean Station.
1.9.1936: Arrived Portsmouth from Alexandria.
8.9.1936: Paid off to reserve.
30.10.1936: The Lords Commissioners of The Admiralty in a memo to the Privy Council stated that the accommodation in the trawlers VERNON and KATE LEWIS at all times falls below the recognised naval standard to the discomfort of the personnel on board. Recommended that hard-lying money at half rates should be paid to the officers and ratings on board those trawlers. The Privy Council approved the recommendation.
26.1.1939: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys designated manager.
2.1939: Arrived Fleetwood from Portsmouth.
10.2.1939: Arrived Glasson Dock.
4.1939: After dry docking by Nicholsons (Glasson Dock) Ltd, completed refit by James Robertson & Sons Ltd, Fleetwood and reclassified as a steam trawler at Fleetwood.
2. – 4.1939: Converted to a fishing vessel by James Robertson & Sons Ltd, Fleetwood.
24.4.1939: Registered at Fleetwood as NOREEN MARY (FD4).
25.4.1939: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds (Sk. J. Reader). During trip put into Douglas, IoM with winch problems. Superintendent Engineer, W. Lewis flew over to IoM to oversee repairs. After fishing was resumed a further breakdown necessitated repairs at Peel and when a third problem arose the trip was aborted and returned to Fleetwood.
4.5.1939: First landing at Fleetwood, 158 boxes grossed £260. Harry Blackburn Jnr, President of the Fleetwood Fish Merchants Association, bought the first box of fish and as was customary was awarded a new hat.
8.1939: Sold to Carnie & Gibb, Newhaven.
25.8.1939: Fleetwood registry closed.
8.1939: Registered at Granton (GN17). William Carnie Jnr, Glasgow designated manager. Fishing from Ayr (Granton Harbour closed.
1943 HMS LOCHINVAR relocated to Granton from Port Edgar).
1.7.1944: Sailed Ayr via Oban for Butt of Lewis ground (Sk. John Flockhart); ten crew all told.
5.7.1944: At 21.50 shelled by U-boat (U.247) while fishing 20 miles W of Cape Wrath and sunk; eight crew killed*.
6.7.1944: At 04.25 two injured survivors (2nd Engineer – William Pryde & deckhand – James MacAllister) both with shrapnel wounds taken aboard HM Trawler LADY MADELEINE (P.No.FY.283)(H243).

(*Killed or MPK: Sk. John Flockhart (54), Portobello; Mate, Alex Barnet (58), Leith; 2nd Fish, Alex Mackenzie (44), Cockenzie; Ch. Eng. William Jackson (53), Eyemouth; Wilfred Allen (41), Scarborough, deckhand; George Gordon (39), fireman, Wallyford; Charles Lindsay (52), cook, Edinburgh and James F. Coates (18), apprentice, Glasgow).

14.01.1946: At the Nuremburg Trials an affidavit on the incident was given by James MacAllister, of Adelphi Place, Portobello, a deck hand on the “Noreen Mary”, which was sunk by gunfire from the U.247 while fishing off the West Coast of Scotland on July 5th, 1944. Macalister is now a rigger at Granton. The affidavit formed part of the evidence submitted by Col. H. W. Phillimore. of the British prosecuting staff, in the case against Karl Doenitz, the 55-year-old engineer’s son, who rose to command the Germany Navy and ultimately became ” Fuhrer of Flensburg.” The diary of Oberleutenant zur See Matschulst, the U-boat commander, said: “The sinking by flak of a fishing vessel in this area testifies to great offensive spirit and nerve.” Of the crew of ten, six were killed, including John Flockhart, skipper; Alexander Barnett. mate; Alexander Mackenzie, fisherman; George Gordon, fireman; Charles Lindsay, cook; and unnamed deck hand. The chief engineer, William Jackson, was thrown clear of the ship, but never seen again. In his affidavit MacAllister said two torpedoes missed the vessel. Then the U-boat surfaced and killed several men with its first machine-gun burst. It circled the helpless ship before using its heavier gun, which sank the ship. ” I swam around and managed to scramble on to the overturned bow our lifeboat. Even now the submarine did not submerge, but deliberately steamed in my direction, and when only 60 or 70 yards away fired directly at me with a short burst from the machine-gun.” MacAllister slipped down into the water until the submarine submerged. Afterwards he pulled the second engineer, William Pryde, on the wreckage with him. They were rescued at daylight by a trawler. Pryde had 48 shrapnel wounds and MacAllister 14.

Note: – James MacAllister Adelphi Place Portobello Edinburgh was later awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) for exceptional gallantry and fortitude, although wounded by shrapnel he stood 8 hours until rescued allowing his more seriously wounded shipmate more room to rest.

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S.T. Kate Lewis

S.T. Kate Lewis
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Kate Lewis A620

S.T. Kate Lewis A620
Picture courtesy of The Dennis Allen Collection

S.T. Noreen Mary FD4

S.T. Noreen Mary FD4
Picture courtesy of The Dennis Allen Collection

Changelog
15/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
09/06/2015: Picture added.
28/12/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
15/05/2019: Updated history.

S.T. Nordale SH89

Additional information courtesy of George Westwood

Technical

Official no. 116117
Yard No. 17 (333)
Completed: 1903
Gross Tonnage: 181
Net Tonnage: 65
Length: 109 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 11.2 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 45HP T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Speed: 9.5 knots

History

19.11.1902: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley (Yd.No.17(333)) for The Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Hull as JOHANNESBURG.
6.1.1903: Registered at Hull (H711).
1.1903: Completed (Joseph Vivian, manager).
28.5.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.1796).
1919: Returned.
1928: Robert Burton appointed manager.
2.10.1931: Sold to William Normandale, Scarborough (managing owner).
8.2.1932: Returning to Scarborough (Sk. William Normandale) at 6.30am in thick fog stranded on the north side of Filey Brigg. Shortly after 7.30am the Filey lifeboat Hallon the Third (Cox. Richard Cammish Jenkerson) was launched. At 9.15am the lifeboat returned to station the men reluctant to leave the vessel. At 1.00pm in worsening weather the Filey lifeboat returned to the scene but the men still would not leave. At 2.00pm, at the request of the Filey Hon. Secy, the Scarborough motor lifeboat HERBERT JOY II (Cox. John Owston Jnr) was launched and arrived at the vessel at 3.20pm, however, the men had decide at 3.00pm that they would leave and were taken off by the Filey boat with great difficulty. The rescued comprised “Crew 8, Pirates 20 about” (The “Pirates” were Filey fishermen who had boarded from cobles probably hoping for pickings if the vessel became a wreck). In late afternoon the vessel slipped off the ledge and the Scarborough lifeboat which was standing off, put three men aboard who secured the tow and the vessel was taken into Filey Bay and beached for examination. At low water the catch was landed overside to carts and hull survey carried out. With no visible sign of damage to shell plating she was subsequently refloated and proceeded to Scarborough.
23.6.1933: Hull registry closed.
26.6.1933: Renamed NORDALE (SH89).
24.9.1935: In transit passed Hull trawler SKEGNESS (H14) (Sk. Richard Wright) homeward from Faroe grounds and anchored off Bempton with boiler trouble. Tow offered but declined as company vessel said to be on way. As weather deteriorated Sk. Normandale deemed it impossible to connect for tow in shallow water and returned to harbour. In E gale SKEGNESS driven ashore under Speeton Cliffs. Radio contact maintained by Sk. Normandale who directed Filey lifeboat to scene. No possibility of rescue by lifeboat or rocket apparatus and all ten crew lost.
By 8.1937: Owned by Thomas W. Perrett, Newton Abbot (managing owner).
1939: Sold to Torbay Trawlers, Brixham (Arthur E. Dexter, manager).
1939: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, manager).
3.1940: Fishing from Milford (H. E. Rees & Co Ltd, agents).
2.1941: Returned to Fleetwood.
14.1.1942: At about 12.30 p.m. sailed Fleetwood for Bantry Bay grounds (Sk.Harold Wood); fourteen crew. Skipper changed routing and decided to go northward to the Donegal ground.
15.1.1942: At 4.30 p.m. set a course NNW mag. from the Maidens to pick up East Rathlin Light. At 6.20 p.m. steaming at about eight knots struck the Carskey Rocks on tip of Kintyre 2 miles SW of Borgadelmore Point, bumping once violently then two more bumps before stopping and settling firmly about 100 yds from the cliffs. With heavy seas breaking over the vessel boat could not be launched and crew assembled forward. At daylight, James Leonard O’Kane a fireman managed to get ashore and raise the alarm. In the afternoon a Breeches buoy was rigged and crew evacuated but five crew members* lost through exposure, fatigue or swept away by seas (James Leonard O’Kane awarded the BoT Sea Gallantry Medal (Bronze)).
7.4.1942: At MoWT formal inquiry (S.402) at Fleetwood the court found that the stranding and subsequent loss of life was caused by the wrongful acts and default of the Mate, Jack Powell. The court did not blame Sk. Harold Wood for the casualty.

* Lost – P. Doyle, 2nd engineer; J. Murray, cook. R. G. Bessey & C. George, deckhands and G. Shoesmith, deck-boy
Click to enlarge image

S.T. Johanesburg H711

S.T. Johanesburg H711
Picture courtesy of Dave Todd

S.T. Johannesburg H711

S.T. Johannesburg H711
Picture courtesy of Looking at Filey

S.T. Johannesburg H711

S.T. Johannesburg H711
Picture courtesy of Looking at Filey

S.T. Nordale SH89 Picture courtesy of The George Scales Collection

S.T. Nordale SH89
Picture courtesy of The George Scales Collection

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
27/06/2021. Updated history.

S.T. Evalana FD55

Technical

Official Number: 148235
Yard Number: 1351
Completed: 1929
Gross Tonnage: 386
Net Tonnage: 142
Length: 145.3 ft
Breadth: 25 ft
Depth: 11.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by McKie & Baxter, Glasgow
Built: O. Anderson (London) Ltd, Wivenhoe

History

192?: Laid down by Otto Andersen (London) Ltd, Wivenhoe (Yd.No.1351).
12.1928: Pollock, Andersen Oil Engines Ltd, London in compulsory liquidation. Assets of Otto Anderson & Co (London) Ltd to be sold by Order of the Sheriff of Essex by auction at Wivenhoe on 25.1.1929. Trawler (partly constructed) (Yd.No.1351) Lot No.490 in catalogue.
22.1.1929: Auction cancelled. Trawler sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
c7.1929: Hull launched as EVALANA* (by Miss Evelyn Anne Hayward). Towed to Fleetwood for completion by James Robertson & Sons (Fleetwood) Ltd.
c8.1929: Towed to Barrow for boiler and engine to be lifted in.
15.11.1929: Completed basin trials.
16.11.1929: Registered at Fleetwood (FD55).
18.11.1929: Completed by James Robertson & Sons (Fleetwood) Ltd, Fleetwood. On gridiron for final survey.
19.11.1929: Sailed for West Coast of Scotland grounds (Sk. Albert E. Hayward).
26.11.1929: Landed maiden catch (70 boxes).
8.6.1930: Grounded on Tiger’s Tail, approach to Wyre Dock (one of 23 trawlers inbound). Refloated and subsequently slipped for inspection.
1.1931: Sold to Victor Fourny, Boulogne.
21.1.1931: Fleetwood registry closed.
1.1931: Registered at Boulogne (B1464).
10.1932: Re-measured 384g 126n 142.5 x 25.0 x 13.0 feet.
12.1935: Sold to Pêcheries de la Morinie, Boulogne (P. Ficheux, manager).
11.1937: Sold to Fred Parkes, Blackpool.
11.1937: Sold to Towarzystwo Dalekomorskich Polowow “Pomorse” Sp.z.o.a., Gdynia. Registered at Gdynia as CEZARY (GDY111). Fishing from Ijmuiden.
10.8.1939: Sold to Adam Steam Fishing Co Ltd, London (Basil A Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
10.1939: Re-measured 388g 140n 145.3 x 25.0 x 11.3 feet
3.11.1939: Renamed COUNT (FD89).
9.2.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence vessel (P.No. Z.109) (Hire rate £172.1.0d/month).
12.11.1945: Returned to owner.
9.1946: Sold to Chr. Holm Jacobsen, Thorshavn, Faroe Islands.
8.4.1946: Fleetwood registry closed.
9.1946: Registered at Thorshavn as SILDBERIN (TN40).
1949: Sold to P/f Sjovinnubankin, Thorshavn (F. H. Sölvsteen, manager). Registered at Thorshavn as GUTTABERG (TN40).
1955: Sold to P/f Holmur, Faroe Islands (Rosing Rasmussen) for conversion to dry cargo on completion renamed HOLMUR.
1955: Fitted out to dry cargo – 412g 201n 508d.
1955: Re-engined with 545bhp 2stroke 7-cyl oil engine by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow (Engine (Type M47I) built 1942 ex minesweeper/passenger vessel GREEN DOLPHIN, (ex MMS112) Lowestoft, sold to Faroe Islands 1949.)
1957: Lengthened to 157.0 feet loa 145.0 x 25.0 x 14.0 feet, re-measured – 412g 201n 508d.
Pre 1959: K. Hansen, Sorvag, Thorshavn, appointed manager.
1965: Havstein Ellingsgaard, Runavik, appointed manager.
11.1965: Re-engined with 510bhp 2stroke 7-cyl oil engine by Alpha-Diesel A/S, Falkenburg – CP prop.
29.3.1978: Stranded at Olafsjördur, north coast of Iceland on passage Faroe Islands to Iceland with salt. Total loss.

(* Named after Sk. Albert Hayward and family – EV (daughter Evelyn) AL (Albert) ANA (wife Annie)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Evalana FD55

S.T. SILDBERIN TN40
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Evalana FD55

S.T. Sildberin TN40
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Evalana FD55

M.V. Holmur
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Evalana FD55

M.V. Holmur.
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
01/08/2020: Updated information.

S.T. Cormoran FD67

Technical

Official Number: 148217
Yard Number: 384
Completed:1909
Gross Tonnage: 231
Net Tonnage: 74
Length: 120.8 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 11.6 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge
Built: Mackie & Thompson Govan

History

10.12.1908: Launched by Mackie & Thompson Ltd, Govan (Yd.No.384) for F. Briere, La Rochelle as CORMORAN.
2.1909: Completed. Registered at La Rochelle (??).
1913: Sold to Charles Rémy & Pierre Huret, Boulogne sur Mer. La Rochelle registration closed. Registered at Boulogne (B303).
1919: Sold to F. Rimbert, Dieppe for 400.000 francs. Boulogne registry closed. Registered at Dieppe (D759).
1921: Sold to Soc. Industrielle Nationale de Pêche et d’Armement, Dieppe.
1925: Sold to George Hindle, Wilpshire, Lancs (Taylor & Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, managers).
1925: Re-measured 228g 101n.
5.12.1925: Registered at Fleetwood (FD67).
31.12.1925: Sailed Fleetwood for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. John Buckley); twelve crew.
12.1.1926: Homeward at 6.00 am. stranded in Kilchiaran Bay, Rinns of Islay. Part crew thrown into sea when launching boat, but managed to climb in. Boat was unseaworthy but with great fortitude rigged sail from boat cover and twine for rowlocks. At daylight, with no sign of the boat and crew members, remaining crew lowered on to rocks and made for nearest habitation.
14.1.1926: After three days and two nights in open boat made landing on Tiree.
16.1.1926: Picked up by steamer CYGNET (201grt/1904) at Scarinish and landed at Oban and placed in Cottage Hospital.
28.1.1926: Fleetwood registry closed. “Total Loss”.

(All Fleetwood unless stated. Survivors to shore: M.Stewart, Ireland, Ch Eng; F. Howard, Ireland, 2nd Eng; Archie Shaw, Blackpool, Cook; J. Green, fireman.
Survivors from boat. Horace Palmer, Mate; Arthur Bantoft, Bosun; Joseph Barton Room and Nathan Jeffries, Bolton, deckhands; Hugh Slavin, fireman. Lost. Sk. John Buckley. Deckhand J. G. Diamond, Grimsby was not onboard at the time of stranding but in hospital at Portree)

Around 06:00 on January 12th, the skipper decided to try a few more hauls off Kilchiaran Bay before finally turning south for home. The night was dark and there was a heavy swell running when there was a series of bumps and CORMORAN came to a shuddering halt. The crew realised that they were making water fast and it was decided to abandon the vessel but, before they could do so, a series of violent lurches threw the lifeboat and the men launching it into the sea. The crew still on board jumped from the deck onto the rocks and spent a miserable night beneath a couple of blankets. The following morning they spotted a house and walked to it where they were given hot food and drink. The rest of the crew, who they thought were lost, had managed to clamber aboard the lifeboat and had made it to Tiree, The skipper was the only man lost.

Click to enlarge image

Cormoran ashore at Kilchiaran Bay, Rinns of Islay

Cormoran ashore at Kilchiaran Bay, Rinns of Islay

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.